Sugar Land residents will see the effects of a planned utility rate increase on their January water bills, according to a city press release.

For most residents, the city said this rate increase will result in approximately an additional $5 charge on their monthly bill, depending on individual water use.

Sugar Land City Council approved the 5% rate increase for water and wastewater and a 10% increase for surface water at a September meeting.

City officials said the rate increases were necessary as they strive to convert 60% of the total water demand to alternative, or non-groundwater, supplies by 2025 as mandated by the Fort Bend Subsidence District.

The city’s rate for surface water—a set fee charged to fund moving away from ground supplies, which is multiplied by individual water usage—had not increased since 2014, and the rates for water and wastewater had not increased since 2011.

“Even though these increases are necessary as the city prepares to meet the 60 percent groundwater reduction mandate, winter is a great time to check for water leaks to minimize future bills,” said Jennifer Brown, the city’s director of finance, in the press release.

In addition to the water bill increases, residents will also see a 47 cent increase to the solid waste portion of their bill, the city’s release said. This is due to a change in the city’s contract with Republic Services.

The city also warned residents in the release that future utility increases will be necessary to fund the infrastructure needed to reduce groundwater use. The city is conducting a utility rate study to determine rates that support the water utility, which is not funded through property taxes.